Shelby Fire Department Proudly Displays 9/11 Artifact

An old piece of metal steals the spotlight at Shelby's newly renovated fire department. 

The Shelby Township Fire Department recently received a piece of U.S. history. More than two years after applying, the department now has a piece of the World Trade Center: an 80-pound steel I-beam that was part of the wreckage on September 11, 2001. 

About two years ago, Shelby Fire Chief Gene Shepherd learned that local departments could request artifacts from the World Trade Center.

In November of 2009, Shelby Township fire officials applied for a piece of the WTC through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "It was a long road, but after many e-mails, calls and legal red tape, we finally received the I-beam. Our piece was one of over a thousand awarded across the country,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd and his fellow fire officials thought that having the piece would be "a nice way to honor the men and women who died in New York."

The artifact has special significance for Shelby Township Clerk Terri Kowal, whose brother, Dan Komorek, was in the second tower at the WTC. Komorek escaped the building unharmed.

“Having an I-beam from the World Trade Center in our fire station is both uplifting and humbling,” Kowal said. 

The artifact currently sits atop a piece of cardboard in the display case in the front lobby of the Shelby fire department. Shepherd said plans are under way to mount the I-beam on a piece of granite. 

The artifact will remain on display as a permanent memorial to the 9/11 victims. Shepherd hopes residents will take the time to visit, especially those who may have lost loved ones in the attacks.

The 9/11 World Trade Center artifact is on display at the Shelby Township fire department headquarters, 6345 23 Mile Road, just west of Van Dyke. Visitors are welcome to view the artifact Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.